Structure and Function of

Cornea
What is the cornea?
The cornea is the eye's outermost layer. It
is the clear, dome-shaped surface that
covers the front of the eye.
Function of Cornea
The cornea is as smooth and clear as glass but is strong
and durable, it helps the eye in three ways:
1. It helps to shield the rest of the eye from germs, dust,
and other harmful matter. The cornea shares this
protective task with the eyelids, the eye socket, tears,
and the sclera, or white part of the eye.
2. The cornea acts as the eye's outermost lens. It functions
like a window that controls and focuses the entry of light
into the eye. The cornea contributes between 65-75
percent of the eye's total focusing power.
3. The cornea also serves as a filter, screening out some of
the most damaging ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths in
sunlight. Without this protection, the lens and the retina
would be highly susceptible to injury from UV radiation.
Structure of Cornea
The corneal tissue is arranged in five basic layers, each having an
important function. These five layers are:
1. Epithelium
2. Bowman s Layer
3. Stroma
4. Descemets membrane
5. Endothelium
1. Epithelium
The epithelium is the cornea's outermost region, comprising about
10 %of the tissue's thickness. The epithelium functions primarily to:
(a) To block the passage of foreign material, such as dust, water, and
bacteria, into the eye and other layers of the cornea
(b) To provide a smooth surface that absorbs oxygen and cell
nutrients from tears, then distributes these nutrients to the rest of
the cornea.
(c) The epithelium is filled with thousands of tiny nerve endings that
make the cornea extremely sensitive to pain when rubbed or
scratched.

2. Bowman's Layer
Lying directly below the basement membrane of the epithelium is a
transparent sheet of tissue known as Bowman's layer. It is
composed of strong layered protein fibers called collagen.

3.Stroma
Beneath Bowman's layer is the stroma, which comprises about 90%
of the cornea's thickness. It consists primarily of water (78%) and
collagen (16 %), and does not contain any blood vessels. Collagen
gives the cornea its strength, elasticity, and form.
4. Descemet's Membrane
Under the stroma is Descemet's membrane, a thin but strong sheet
of tissue that serves as a protective barrier against infection and
injuries.
5. Endothelium
The endothelium is the extremely thin, innermost layer of the
cornea. Endothelial cells are essential in keeping the cornea clear.
The endothelium's primary task is to pump this excess fluid out of
the stroma. Without this pumping action, the stroma would swell with
water, become hazy, and ultimately opaque.
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